The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-07-23

tibet thar outfit we was after for stealth
mules up to Fairplayl WAL, / disremem
ber." He sat silent for some time. then
suddenly started and struck hS knee with
his hand. 'I've got him. he said "Why
on arth didn't catch on beforel It's the
Teller we catched with aces in his sleeve
up to Bill Larned's ranch the winter OF the
big snow storm. An l heered next veal
thet he was in with the gang tibet stopped
the Fairplay stage. He don't mean no ga,d
in this yere place, he an tibet unrghteous
lookin' pard of his'n, and they're two tC
ono. | allow I'd ought to be well heeled
an all ready for 'em, if they is up to any
little games"
He drew large revolver from behind hi:
hip, reloaded and capped it, making every
motion with marked deliberations: then
taking piece OF cord from his pocket he
bound the trigger to the rear of the guard
He laid the formidable weapon on chair
by his side; then lighted an old pipe and
began smoking. Thus, through the night
hours, he kept his vigil. What his thoughts
were no one could tell, for no sign OF them
appeared on the rugged features lighted
up by the cheerful blaze. 1t was just day.
light when he heard sounds overhead, and
after an interval steps on the stairs. He
arose and stood erect, and with the six.
shooter in tho firm grasp of his left hand.
covered the door, holding his right hand in
front of the hammer, ready for that quick
and deadly motion called ''fanniag.'
! Another moment, and the door softly
opened and Beaver-Dam Bill entered fol.
| lowed by his companion. They must have
been looking cautiously downward and
picking their steps, for they were both in
the room before they saw the weapon
| pointed at them, and the fierce eyes be-
hind it, and heard the grim command:
'Hold up yer hands-yer They obeyed
in an instant, in unmistakable surprise and
panic. Uncle Jim advanced step.
81 don't know why didn't shoot the par
of yc on sight," said he in concentrated
tones.
The small man, cringing before him, man
| aged to command his voice.
''Mr. Boyle" lie stammered, ''don't shoot,
don't shoot We amt adoin' no harm.
Hope to die cf l amt givin' it to yer
straight. Our guns amt loaded; yer kin
see fur yerself.n
Uncle Jim's face relaxed slightly. He
approached the men, who dared not lower
their hands, and took the revolver from the
belt of each. Sure enough, they were not
charged. He felt for concealed weapons,
but found none
GAN right" he said. 81 allow We ain't
very dangerous just now: but I'd like to
know what you cusses is a-doin'."
Then Mustang Nose spoke to him, for the
first since his arrival at the ranch. ''Pll
tell ye,n said he, me an this 'ere pard o.
mine we struck streaG o. bad luck; an
we had to light out of Denver in hurry,
an we come down here. We might as we'll
be hung for sheep as fur lamb, and we
wouldn't a made no bones of maxim
strike in this yere ranch; but, when you
was a-givin' us the grand bounce, an that
poorly little gal come out an looked at us
two toughs with them gentle eyes o. hern
an spoke in that pityin' voice, waal, blamed
ef tibet didn't jest fetch me; an when got
my pard alone, l scz to him: No funny
business here, an he SEE, You bet.' An
we allowed to light out of this at daylight,
an strike fur the mountains Say, Mister,
We amt got no call to keep US, hev yea"
Uncle Jim hestated one moment; then.
with a shrug of his shoulders, he said
You're right: | amt got no use for ye
Gitw
The men needed no second permission
In five minutes time they were well en- the
road to the foothills. Uncle Jim watched
their progress
"a precious pair o. toughs, an no mis-
take,n said he to himself. They'd got
away with us last night if they'd a-wanted
to. An they let up because the little girl
was good to en- WAL, | said there want
no man that would harm her, an even them
cusses-that, when ye come to size 'em up
want men, but brutes-they couldn't do it,
Now / allow they've been up to a sight O.
wickedness, but they done one square thing
an no mistake.n
An hour passed, and still Uncle Jim sat
in the bright sunlight, gazing toward the
foothills Then the sound of galloping
hoofs was heard; it came nearer and near
err, and six horsemcn splendidly mounted,
rode round the corner of the house and
pulled up. To any one familiar with the
West, a glance would have told their char
actcr and their purpose. On their STERN
but not angry nor excited faces, in their
curlously unmstakable air of grim, per-
sisCent determination was written, as ifin
plain type, Viglante!
"Hullo, Jim! shakc!" cried the leader.
"What's upF' asked Uncle Jim, returning
the salutation
Have you seen the pair OF cusses we're
after!" asked the leader. "One was tall,
and the other short, with red hair.n
"Why," said Uncle jim, eve put 'em up
fur the night, an they amt been gone
more'n an hour"
you put them up!" cried the leader,
with an air of establishment, some sign of
which appeared even on the stern and stoid
faces behind him. "You put them up, and
there's any one of you alive to tell the tale
this morning! Well, l haven't time to talk
now, but when we come back / shall want
to ask you what on earth you did to keep
them quiet. Now, which way did they go9
Straight up the road to the rangea All
right! Goodbye. Come on, boys" and
they were off at a gallop
Uncle Jim sat as before, looking straight
before him. Close to the foot-hlls the
mountain road forked, one branch leading
toward the south, another to pass; and
the frontiersman had seen the two men
take the former.
''Ef John had asked mo, OF course ia
a-told him which way they went" said he
to himself, ''but he didn't wait. l allow
them cusses is agoin to be took, but |
swear I'd sooner hev 'em took some other
time than jest when they've done tho squar
thing o. their lives" Then he lighted his
pipe. All Fong had come noiselessy be-
hind him. Later on he heard the latter cry
eli yah!"